Recording electric meter.



A. HERZ.

RECORDING ELECTRIC METER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 15. 191].

1,156,226. Pg tented 0@t.12,1915.

. J 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W IZGJJJQJ A. HERZ- RECORDING ELECTRIC METER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-15' 1911.

1,156,226. Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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RECORDING ELECTRIC METER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented M12, 1915.

Application filed August 15, 1911. Serial No. 644,240.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALFRED HERz, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and Stateof Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inRecording Electric Meters, of which the following is a full, clear,concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved recording device for meters, and isparticu larly adapted for use in connection with electric meters.

An object of my invention is to perfect a recording device, orattachment for use with electric meters by means of which the period ofmaximum demand can be readily determined.

A further object is to make a record of meter readings in which theindications are in the form of successive steps or angular blocks.

A further object is to make a recording mechanism for making records ona movable tape by which the reading recorded may be greater than thewidth of the tape.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for recording thenumber of revolutions of a. disk without subjecting the same to anyfriction or external load.

A further object of my invention is to control the action of meterrecording devices by the effect of light upon selenium F cells. or othervariable resistance elements.

Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art in theparticular arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification,Figure l'shows a plan view of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a frontelevational view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig. 1 looking inthe direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a detail view of the typerecording disks: and Fig. 3 is a detail of the record tape showing theform of record and the time stamped thereon.

Throughout the various views the same element is indicated by the samereference numeral.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 is a revolving disk whichmay be carried by a shaft of any meter the revolutions of which it isdesired to record. This l4 indicate selenium cells which possess theknown property of reducing their electrical resistance when under theinfluence of light. Consequently when the unblackened portions of thedisk come opposite the cells 44 the resistance of these cells will bereduced. ,It is evident, however, that other ways of periodicallythrowing light upon the cells to be affected may be adopted, such forinstance as placing the cells on the opposite side of the disk from thesource of light and cutting away openings to permit the light to passthrough. Other relative arrangements of the light and the disk, or othermeans of periodically casting the light on the cells to be affected maybe adopted.

The cells or other variable resistance elements 44 are a part of twoparallel circuits 33, having a common source of energy as 5. Eachcircuit 3 also contains a solenoid winding 6. The movable cores of thesesolenoids are connected by a rod 7 working in suitable bearings asshown. Attached to the rod 7 is a spring pressed pawl 8, engaging with anotched wheel 9. When the light falls on one of the cells 4, itsresistance is reduced and current flows through the correspondingsolenoid actuating the rod in one direction. The second cell will beaffected by the light shortly after the first, and by a correspondingaction of the other solenoid, the rod and pawl will be returned to theiroriginal positions. By this means the wheel 9 will be turned one notchfor each reciprocation of the rod 7, which corresponds to one revolutionof the meter disk. The wheel 9 is rigidly attached to a shaft 10,journaled in suitable bearings as shown. The shaft 10 also carries aloose wheel 11 which meshes with suitable teeth carried on a rack bar12. (arried on the shaft 10 is also a clutch L1 which is adapted toalternately engage and release the. wheel 11 for the purpose ofoperating the bar 12. Attached to one end of the bar 12 is a spring -l0which pulls the bar in a direction opposite to that in which it is movedby the wheel 11. A dog 13 is provided 'in connection with the wheel 9 toprevent the spring from returning the bar to its zero position, exceptwhen the clutch 1 1 is thrown out of engagement with the wheel 11. Itthus appears that the revolutions of the disk 1 alternately reciprocateby electrical means the rod 11 which in turn actuates mechanism formoving the bar 12 in one direction, and that means are provided forreturning the bar 12 to its original position.

Attached to the end of bar 12 opposite to the spring are pens 15 and 16carried on the ends of the bell lever which is pivoted to the bar. Pen15 is shown in contact with a wheel 25 designed to carry a paper tape.As the bar 12 is notched forward in the manner previously described, pen15 moves in a straight line parallel to the axis of the wheel orcylinder 25, making a line on the tape as shown at 41 in Fig. 5. Sincethe rangeof movement transverse to the tape is evidently limited, it isdesired to return the pen to the zero position at the end of apredetermined interval. This result is accomplished by releasing theclutch 141 so that the wheel 11 may slip on the shaft 10, whereupon thespring 40 draws the bar and its associated pens back to their originalpositions. The means for releasing the clutch are controlled by a clockcircuit in which is the solenoid winding 18. Associated with the winding18 is the plunger 19 bearing on which is a spring 20. Opposite thespring 20 the plunger 19 is connected to a rod 21 carried in suitablebearings and pivoted in turn to a lever 26. The last named lever issupported intermediate its ends as shown, and carries at the endopposite 21 the arm 27, which operates the clutch 1-l in an obviousmanner.

Carried on the shalt 21 is a spring pressed pawl 22 which cooperateswith the ratchet wheel 21. A spring pressed ratchet 28 allows the wheel24.- to turn in one direction only. lVheel 24 is carried on the sameshaft as the tape wheel 25. When the solencid winding 18 is energizedplunger 19 moves toward the left in Fig. 3 in opposition to the spring20 and draws the rod 21 with the pawl 22 in the same direction.Consequently the wheel 21 will be moved up one notch and at the sametime the tape which moves with wheel 25 will be drawn along causing oneof the pens to make a stroke as 42 in Fig. 5. At the end of thismovement of rod 21 the levers 26 will be operated sutficiently so as todisengage the clutch 1% from Wheel 11, allowing the spring 40 to returnthe bar 12, and consequently the pens, to the zero position. This lastmovement causes the pen to make a stroke such as 43 in Fig. 5. Themechanism is now in a position to repeat the cycle ust described. Incase the reading of the meter during the succeeding period is greaterthan that of the first one, the line drawn longitudinally of the tapewill lie farther from the zero line than in the first case, but when thereading is less the line parallel to the zero line will lie closer toit. But in any case the reading of the mete-r during any period isproportional to the distance between the zero line and the line drawnparallel thereto at the end of such period.

The cycle of operations just described makes a record in the form ofsuccessive blocks or steps as shown in Fig. It will be obvious that thelength of step made by the tape will be constant, or nearly so, and thatconsequently the distance between successive vertical lines or thelength of each step in the record will be approximately constant.

In order to enable a larger reading to be recorded with a given width oftape than would otherwise bethe case, applicant uses duplicate pens aspreviously mentioned, and provides means whereby when the first pen hasreached the edge of the tape it is lifted and the second pen thrown intoengagement with the tape. As shown more plainly in Fig. 2 this isaccomplished by mounting the pens one on each side of a pivot on theoperating bar and providing a guide as 17 which is supported parallel tothe wheel 25, and as the rod moves forward from zero the first pen isthrown by the guide down against the tape. Now thedistance between thepens is equal to the width of the record from the zero mark to the edgeof the tape, and as the first pen reaches the edge of the tape thesecond one contacts with the guide and is thrown into position formaking a record, at the same time lifting the first pen in the air. Incase the second pen is brought into play in this combination the recordassumes the form shown at ll of Fig. 5 where to obtain the true readingthe distance between the line and the zero mark must be added to thedistance between Zero mark and the upper edge of the tape. If desiredthe pens may be provided with different colored inks or other means maybe adopted for (:listinguishing the mark of one from that of the other.As shown on F ig. 5, the tape has the time stamped along the edge at 5minute intervals. The particular interval at which the time is recordedis of course a matter of choice, and might be effected by means otherthan that used for making the record. and the length of the intervals atwhich the time is stamped might (lilier from those at which therecording mechanism is actuated. However, I prefer to stamp the time onthe tape at the same time at which the recording mechanism is returnedto the zero point and make use of much of the same mechanism for thispurpose. This time stamping attachment appears in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, andconsists of two concentrically mounted type wheels 29 and 30. The faceof these wheels is illustrated in Fig. 4. As shown each wheel is slottedfrom the edge toward the center and its outer rim has a fiat printingsurface graduated as desired. The lever 26 carries a projection 28 whichis designed to make contact with the wheel 30 whenever the lever 26 isoperated by the solenoid 18. In this Way the section of thewheel 30 andconsequently theunderlying section of the wheel 29 is thrown intocontact with the wheel 25 whenever the clutch 14 is operated, and bymeans of a typewriter ribbon by similar means not shown the time may bestamped on the edge of the record tape. The slots above mentioned givethe individual segments of the wheels sufiicient elasticity so that thesegments may be thrown into contact with the wheel 25 without disturbingthe mounting of the type wheels as a whole.

In the particular embodiment of my invention shown and described themechanism is designed to record in five minute intervals and the time isstamped at the same time. Consequently the outer wheel is used as anhour wheel and numbered from one to twenty-four, whereas the inner wheelis used as a minute wheel and numbered from five to 60 in five minuteintervals. As best shown in Fig. 1 wheel 29 is mounted on a shaft 15geared to the shaft of the wheel 25. IVhen the wheel 29 is moved forwardby the solenoid 18 wheel 29 is revolved by gears 31 and 32 to the extentof one segment. Since there are twenty-four hours in a day the outerwheel 30 should revolve only once in twenty-four hours. To accomplishthis wheel 30 is mounted loosely on the shaft 45 but is provided with 24holes at equal intervals. Carried on the under side of wheel 29 andrevolving therewith is a spring plate 33 embracing the shaft 45. Beneaththe wheel 29 is a fixed guide or cam 34 with which the spring 33 comesin contact once during each revolution of the wheel 29. Spring 33carries a point 46 which lies immediately below an aperture 47 in thewheel 29. However when the spring 33 comes in contact with the guide 34it is thrown into such a position that the point 46 projects throughwheel 29 into one of the apertures in the wheel 30 locking the wheelstogether and causing the latter wheel to move forward the distance ofone segment. The distance through which the two wheels are thus lockedtogether obviously depends upon the length of time the guide 34 is incontact with spring 33 and is determined by the shape of the guide 31.This is designed so that wheel 30 shall move forward only onetwenty-fourth of a revolution at one time.

The operation of my device is as follows: The revolution of the disk 1varies the resistance of the circuit 3 so as to reciprocate the rod 7and in turn rotate the wheel 11. Wheel 11 drives the pen operating bar12 to make a record on the tape which moves with wheel 25. At the end ofa predetermined interval a circuit separate from that of the meter isenergized to move forward the tape, making a straight line thereon andapproximately at the same time to release the wheel 11, so that the pensmay be returned to zero position, and to print the time upon the side ofthe tape;

It will be understood that Wherever light is spoken of in thisspecification that the non-luminous radiations which follow the laws oflight in the way of reflection and refraction are intended to beincluded. It further will be understood that wherever the word cell isused that any element which may vary its resistance under the action oflight or heat is intended to be included.

It is obvious that while the arrangement described herein and shown inthe accompanying drawing is the preferred form of my device variationsand rearrangements thereof may be made without departing from the spiritof my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a recording meter in combination, a plurality of selenium cells,means for varying the resistance of said cells in definite succession,and means for forming a record governed by the variations in resistanceof said cells.

2. In a recording meter in combination, a reciprocable shaft, a leverpivoted to said shaft having a pen on each end, and means for depressingfirst one end and then the other end of said lever.

3. In a recording meter in combination,

an arm, a lever pivoted to said arm having a pen at each end, and meansfor depressing first one end and then the other end of said lever.

4. In a recording meter in combination, a record receiving blank, aplurality of tracing means for cooperating therewith, and means forengaging said tracing means with said blank one after the other.

5. In a recording meter in combination, a revolving shaft, areciprocating element, two selenium cells, and means controlled by saidcells for producing a complete reciprocation of said element for eachrevolution of said shaft.

6. In a recording meter in combination, a revolving shaft, areciprocating element, solenoids for operating said element, cellsconnected in circuit with said solenoids and means for varying theresistance of said cells.

7. In a recording meter in combination, a rotatable element normallyrotating in a given direction, meter mechanism operated in response tothe rotations of said element,.

an electrical device for operating said mechanism, and a selenium cellfor governing said device.

8. In a recording meter in combination, a rotatable element normallyrotating in a given direction, meter mechanism operated in response tothe rotations of said element, a solenoid for operating said mechanism,and a selenium cell for governing said device.

9. In a recording meter in combination, a record receiving blank,duplicate tracing devices for cooperating with said blank, and means foralternately engaging said devices with said blank.

10. In a recording device in combination, a reciprocating element, asolenoid for operating said element. a record blank. a tracing membernormally in contact with said blank, and means for advancing saidtracing member a fixed distance upon each reciprocation of said element.

11. In a recording meter in combination, a tape, a tracing device, meansfor advancing said device transversely of said tape, means for movingsaid tape longitudinally while said device is at its outmost position,and means for returning said device to its original position, said tapemoving means being stationary for equal intervals of time intermediateits periods of movement, and the opposite movements of said device beingparallel.

12. In a recording dev1ce 1n combinatlon, a tracing member, normallystationary blank holding mechanism having a record blank cooperatingtherewith, printing means normally out of contact with said blank, and asingle device for operating said mechanism and said printing means.

13. In a recording device, a type-Wheel of flexible material havingradial slots extending from the circumference toward the center.

14. In a recording meter in combination, a rotating clement normallyrotating in a given direction, electric mechanism for making a record ofthe rotations of said element, and a selenium cell for controlling theaction of said mechanism.

15. In a recording device in combination, a record blank, means fortracing a continuous line on said blank, mechanism for ad- -'ancing saidmeans in a succession of definite steps, means for moving said blank adefinite distance at the end of a definite interval of time, and meansfor returning operation of said gear by said shaft, a rack driven bysaid gear, and means for periodically releasing said clutch.

17. In a device of the class described in combination, a reciprocablebar, an oscillating member pivoted to said ba-r, said member having apen at each end, and a guide piece for engaging first one end and thenthe other of said member in order to depress the same.

18. In a device of the class described in combination, a movable recordblank, tracing means for making a record on said blank, a reciprocablemember for advancing said tracing means, a rotatable element 30 fordriving said member, a clutch for controlling said element, a printingdevice for stamping the time on said blank, and means for simultaneouslyoperating said device and releasing said clutch. .35

19. A recording meter comprising a tracing member having a definite zeroposition. means for advancing said member repeatedly in a straight linefrom its zero position,

a normally stationary record blank cooperating with said member, meansfor moving "said blank at definite intervals at right angles to the pathof movement of said member, and means for returning said member to Zeroposition in a line parallel to its advance movement immediately afterthe movement of the blank, said return movement occurring immediatelyafter the movement of said blank and while said blank is stationary.

20. A recording meter comprising a tracing member having a definite zeroposition, means for advancing said member repeatedly in a straight linefrom its zero position, a normally stationary record blank cooperatingwith said member, means for moving said blank at definite intervals atright angles to the path of movement of said memher, and means forreturning said member to zero position in a line parallel to its advancemovement immediately after the movement of the blank, said returnmovement occurring immediately after the movement of said blank andwhile said blank is stationary, and said tracing member advancing on arepeat movement along the line of the preceding return movement. 21. Ina recording meter in combination, a wheel for moving a record blank, anarm, tracing means carried by said arm, means operating said arm tocarry said tracing means over the record blank, a clutch meanscontrolling said operating means, and a single device having connectionsfor moving said wheel and releasing said clutch.

22. The method of operating recording meters which consists in advancinga tracing member in a given direction over a record blank from a zeroposition in a series of successive steps, moving said blank at fixedintervals only in a direction substantially at right angles to thedirection of movement of said tracing member, and returning said tracingmember to zero substantially at the time when said blank becomesstationary again.

23. In a recording meter in combination, a record blank, two tracingmembers for acting upon said blank, a single bar upon which said membersare supported, means for moving said bar to carry "said members oversaid blank, and means for throwing said members into contact with saidblank one after the other.

24. In a recording meter in combination,

a record blank, two tracing members for acting upon said blank, a singlebar upon which said members are supported, means for moving said bar tocarry said members over said blank, and means for throwing one of saidmembers against saidblank on the line made by the other of said members.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this fifth day ofAugust A. D., 1911.

ALFRED HERZ.

Witnesses:

AUGUSTUS S. DENNISON, HAZEL JONES.

